Real streak halted by Valencia draw

Madrid, Aug 28 (AFP) Real Madrid needed a late strike
from Marco Asensio to prevent a shock defeat but still saw
their relentless winning streak ended by Valencia in a
thrilling 2-2 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Asensio had got the hosts off to the perfect start after
just 10 minutes, but Carlos Soler rounded off an excellent
Valencia team move to level shortly after.

Valencia stunned the Bernabeu when Geoffrey Kondogbia,
who joined the club this week on a season-long loan from Inter
Milan, swept home Rodrigo's cross from the edge of the area.

However, like on so many occasions last season, Madrid
had a late reply as Asensio curled home a free-kick seven
minutes from time.

A draw ends Real's eight-game winning run stretching back
to May and sees the European champions fall two points behind
rivals Barcelona after just two games of the La Liga season.

"I can't be happy with the result, but the performance
was excellent and we deserved more today," said Madrid boss
Zinedine Zidane.

"That's football, you can't always win.

"We've lost two points, but I am very proud of my
players.

Valencia have endured two dreadful years, finishing 12th
for the past two seasons, but there were further encouraging
signs of a revival under new coach Marcelino Garcia Toral
after their opening day win over Las Palmas.

"It was a great spectacle," said Marcelino.

"A draw was a fair result, although either side could
have won.

"I am sure the fans will be proud of their players.

"You can see what we are working on and that we want to
be a solid and bold team."

Madrid were without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and
Sergio Ramos and their presence at both ends of the field was
felt in a wide open game filled with chances at both ends.

Another Real win looked on the cards when Asensio pounced
on a slack pass from Kondogbia to fire into the bottom corner
just 10 minutes in.

- Stubborn Valencia -

=====================

Yet, Valencia showed they are made of sterner stuff this
season in their reaction to going behind as a fine team move
cut open the Madrid defence down Valencia's left and Toni
Lato's cross was turned in by Soler.

Isco and Karim Benzema twice then passed up huge chances
with just Neto to beat as Real ended the half firmly on top.

Madrid's pressure continued after the break as Casemiro
and Luka Modric saw long-range efforts tipped wide by the
impressive Neto.

However, Valencia were also posing a threat on the
counter-attack as Simone Zaza headed over a golden chance when
unmarked 10 yards out before Keylor Navas produced a stunning
save from Dani Parejo's free-kick.

Valencia thought they had secured their first win at the
Bernabeu since 2008 when Kondogbia swept home Rodrigo's cross
from the edge of the area 13 minutes from time.

But Asensio rescued Madrid when his free-kick wrong-
footed Neto.

And they should have snatched all three points when
Benzema fired wide from point-blank range before being denied
by Neto once more in stoppage time.

Elsewhere on Sunday, there was a trio of 1-0 away wins
for Sevilla, Leganes and Athletic Bilbao.

Sevilla got their first league victory of the season
thanks to Paulo Henrique Ganso as his sensational flicked
finish with the outside of his left foot saw off Getafe.

Leganes moved up to fourth with a surprise win at
Espanyol thanks to Martin Mantovani's solitary goal.

And veteran striker Aritz Aduriz edged a Basque derby
Athletic's way at Eibar